I looked up Authentic in the dictionary today. It has many different meanings, but the one I’m speaking of is “true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character”. This is such a big word and topic, I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it justice in a small blog paragraph. Let’s just start the dialogue and let it keep growing!

Authentically living your life takes courage and awareness. The awareness comes from being willing to recognize who you are in the midst of all the roles you play in your daily life. You know, you are a daughter, a sister, a friend, a co-worker, a mother, and the list goes on and on. With so many roles to play, it can be easy to lose yourself. Also, by playing these roles, you can end up trying to meet other’s expectations, rather than listening to your own voice. Now comes the courage part. It takes courage to listen and hear your own voice, in the midst of all these roles, and act on it. You may hear your voice, but not like the information, so you turn down the volume. If you really don’t like what your voice is saying, you can completely shut it off. Now you are no longer living authentically. Boy, is that tiring and it keeps you from experiencing the joy of being you.

Clothing is such an expression of self. Think of the power that clothing has in the world. Especially all the designer labels that are used as status symbols. Companies spend millions of dollars hoping you will buy in to their look. Fashion magazines are full of ideas about how you should look for every occasion. The funny thing is, you always know when you are wearing something that is really suits you, your whole face lights up. What I’m getting at here is to use clothing as expression of your authentic self, not what some celebrity or magazine suggests is “you”. Be aware of what you like and what suits you and then courageous enough to wear it, even if it’s not what the fashion magazines are promoting.

Being authentic is the best gift you could ever give yourself and give the world.